Paula Hep

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Gosh darn it.  Why have I been SO lazy to update?  Well, it's been quite a hectic time these past 6 months or so for us here.

Bob took a promotion to the management team at Bradley Int'l control tower in Windsor Locks and he was commuting from Westerly, RI to Bradley for five months.  186 miles a day, and hour and a half each way.  It drained him both physically and emotionally.  He's down 110 lbs in his RNY weight loss and looks so awesome.  I've never seen him this thin in the 12 years I've known him.  My hot man!

We wanted the kids to finish out the school year in Westerly, so, we put our house on the market, sold it in three weeks, and moved here to Windsor, CT on June 18th.  We LOVE it here!!  Bob's family is right in town and we love having our family so close.  Why we moved away in the first place, I'll never know.

Bob's Mom is great.  She is so active for her age and takes such great pride in her grandchildren.  She picks them up, takes them to the pool, for ice cream, to the park, hiking and builds forts with them.  It keeps her young, I swear. She doesn't look like she's going to be 70 this year. (shhh, don't tell her I told you!)

Bob's sisters also live in town.  Having the cousins here is also great for our kids.  Plus, the kids met new neighbor children that they play with.  A lot better than the grief and strife they were put through with the Westerly neighborhod kids that were so mean to both Anna and Tim.  What a difference!

As far as weight loss goes.  I've not lost (nor gained) any weight for one year.  I will admit that I could exercise more and sometimes make better choices in food, but I'm active enough with trail biking with the kids and running around with them and shopping for hours on end to furnish and attire my new home and newly svelte husband that has to now wear dress clothes to work!  Oh, he looks gooooodddd!!!

I'm so happy, can you tell?  My moods are even and except for some stress in the move and exhaustion from all the packing, keeping the old house spotless for showings, and then moving, unpacking, getting settled and having the kids home all summer...I'm tired and a bit stressed!  But, Bob's commute is just 12 minutes each way now and 6 miles!  Yee HA!

Haven't taken any new pictures of me in a bit.  Gonna have to have Bob find the camera and take some.  

No vacation this summer except 6 Flags season passes.  New job and expense of moving didn't allow for one. That's ok.  This beautiful home we were able to get is vacation enough to me.  Finally I have a house (they've all been wonderful, don't get me wrong) that feels like "ah, I'm home".  It's beautiful and we just purchased some new things to make it even better.  The kids got new bedroom sets with bunk beds!  They're SO happy!

I see Dr Aranow on Aug 29th for my much long overdue appointment.  I skipped my last one and he tracked me down via certified mail practically ordering me to come in!  He keeps me on his radar, that's for sure!  I've had my blood done twice this year by another doctor, though and all was fine...but I"ll go...and let him slap my wrists when I see him.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer!

March 19, 2007

WOW, it's been a long while since I've updated.

Well, no weight loss happening around here.  I am maintaining, though and that makes me happy.  I've never been able to lose a lot of weight and maintain it at that weight for a period of time.  Always gained it right back.

I'm eating pretty well, sometimes too many carbs, but a decent well rounded diet.

Fats don't like me.  I dump on them, so, that's a good thing.

I love pretzels and roasted almonds.

The big news on my front is that my husband was promoted in his job with the FAA, so, we're moving from Rhode Island to CT near Bradley, Int'l airport in Windsor, CT.  We've already bought (contracted) on a beautiful home there and we're about to market our home this week.  I pray that it sells quickly.

We will be close to family again and that's a good thing.  Bob is commuting 3 hours a day now and it's a big drain on him.  Can't wait until we get up there.

Haven't taken any new pictures, so, I haven't posted any of late.  I don't look much different.

Thanks for stopping by.

October 2, 2006
Well, today is my 43rd birthday!  And I feel it's probably going to be the best birthday ever!  I have done SO much in just one year. 

My one year anniversary of having WLS was on Sept. 28th, and so far I've lost 127 pounds.  Nothing to sneeze at, I know!  I'm at a bit of a stall and the weight is coming off very slowly.  I seem to be losing inches and getting some curves in my body, that I love!

This past Saturday, the 30th, I participated in my first Walk From Obesity charity walk.  It was a lot of fun.  Over a 3K walk and a lot of the people from the OH CT board and also Dr Aranow, his wife, Karen and two young children and a 45 patients of his were there for the walk.

We hung around afterwards and had a cook out lunch that was a lot of fun.  I got to meet a LOT of people in person that I've been in correspondence with on the board here.  It was so nice to finally talk to them in person.

I started a water walking class at the YMCA and go when I can.  I really like it and feel like that's got something to do with my losing inches.

I want to start in at the gym and really tone up my muscles.

I want to lose 25 more pounds to get to my personal goal of 175.

All's good here...

August 1, 2006
Boy, summer is flying by!  The kids will be starting back to school on the 30th, but we'll still be away, so, they'll miss the first few days.

I have an ulcer in my pouch!  OUCH!  It started about July 20th and felt like little knives going down and through my pouch every time I ate or drank anything.  I waited until Monday to call Dr Aranow's office, and Loius told me that he was away all week on vacation.  She called me the next day to see how I was doing and when I didn't sound so good, she told me to come in to see the on call surgeon.

Bob, the kids and I get in the car for the hour long drive to Middletown and get a call from Lois saying the surgeon wanted me to go to the ER instead of the office.  Supposedly, they called in orders of what to do for me.

I get at the ER at 4:30pm and am triaged.  The nurse told me "We'll get you in when we have a free bed."

Well, at 7:30pm, I finally get called in and I get a resident!  He was very nice, but had to go to the attending for everything.  It took an hour to get blood drawn!  Another half hour to see the attending.  Then, he says, I'm gonna call the on call surgeon to see what I should do.  (He already called in at 3:30pm with what to do!  argh)

The resident comes back in, says that the blood work is ok and to call my own gastric doctor back home the next day.  That I'll be discharged soon.  Nothing was done!

Bob is growing weary by now because he had been up at 4am for the early shift that morning and had to get home to bed for another the following day.  The kids were climbing the walls, too.  Poor family!

Bob thinks I'm being discharged, so he takes the kids out to the car.

A technician comes in to give me contrast die for a CT scan.  I say, "Whoa, I'm being discharged.  I live an hour away and am here with a tired husband and two very tired little children, I'm not doing this at 10pm when it should have been done at 5, call the doctor in here!"

The attending comes in with the resident and they both agree that I can have the test done at a later date.  To go home.

Nothing is done...long ride home.

The next day, I call Lois (Dr A's nurse) and tell her what happened.  She got mad.  Said, if Dr Aranow was around, he'd be livid.  Well, he wasn't around, so, I had to deal with it.

She had the on call surgeon order an upper GI with small bowel follow through and I went back to Middletown for the test.  Thanks to a sister nearby for watching my kids!

The test showed no obstructions or anything serious.  That's good.  I'm just to take it easy on my diet and see how it goes.  Dr Aranow had phoned in to the office to check in and Lois told him I wasn't feeling well.  She told me that he said to tell me that he'd be in surgery on
Friday with no office calls, but, if need be, he'd see me.  Plus, he'd be on call all weekend.

Well, Sunday came and I was crying hysterically in pain.  Bob had to go to work and I felt awful.  Five minutes after he left, the phone rang and it was Dr Aranow asking what was going on.  I told him and he said that it sounded like an ulcer.  He called in two prescriptions, Carafate liquid, to coat and heal the ulcer, and dissolving Prevacid to calm things down in there.  And, to be on a totally liquid diet.  He wanted me to call Lois on Monday morning and tell her that he wanted to see me in the office that day.

I called Monday morning and asked her to ask him why he needed to see me.  She called me back and told me that he was in surgery most of the day, but, she got a message to him there and he replied back saying that he wanted to see me physically in the office and to tell me to come in at 2:45pm.

So, back up to Middletown I go.  My sister took the kids to the Kid's Museum there while I had my appointment.

Dr Aranow comes in and says that he's pretty sure that it's an ulcer, kind of late in the game for one, but it does happen.  He told me to never go to the ER again.  He doesn't like his patients to have to go through that entire waiting process.  He gave me some phone numbers to call when in a bind and he's not around.  (To get some action taken care of)

He also said to me, "You're looking fantastic, by the way!"  Made my day!  If the surgeon thinks this, it must be good!

I'm to be on a liquid diet for 2 more weeks to keep things calm down there and to give my pouch some time to heal. 

I've lost 6 pounds this week, and that is a plus to this!  I'd been losing slowly of late.

I went shopping the other day and was able to buy some nice things on clearance.  And sizes 14 and 16 to boot!  This, made me feel great!

I see Dr Aranow in two weeks, and hopefully will feel a lot better.  If not, he's going to order some more intricate testing to find out what's going on.

We're going to San Francisco on Aug 23rd, so, I BETTER BE BETTER!

August 4, 2006
Ok, the wait is over!  I posted a new picture, which I'm sure you've already seen above.  I guess there is a change in me!  It was very hard for me to see the "change" for sometime.  120 pounds gone.  Did you ever wonder where "an entire person in fat" goes?  Melts away and we pee it out, I guess!  I can't believe I carried that around for SO long.  I've got about 35 pounds to get to my own goal of 175, and I'm not in a hurry to get there.  Slow and steady is fine with me.  Dr Aranow's goal of 75% weight loss due to WLS was 206, so, I'm only 4 pounds to that goal and I'm not at 12 months out yet!  My next goal would be to get under 200 pounds.

Stomach is feeling a bit better.  I'm taking my meds and am still doing a liquid diet.  I put Unjury powder in my broth to give it 20gms of protein.  I've also lost about 5 lbs this week.  I'll take that!  I'm just kind of draggin' cause of the lack of nutrition and heat wave.

July 13, 2006
First off...I KNOW I NEED AN UPDATED PICTURE!!  I don't even look like this any more!  Gotta get hubby to take one of me tomorrow!

I really should keep up with this profile.  Time has surely flown by quickly.  We're already in the middle of summer and I've not posted since May!

Well, let's see.  I'm down 112 pounds so far since my journey began with Dr Aranow.  I'm very pleased with this and he told me at my check up that I looked 15 years younger! (After showing me my before picture that he took of me the day of my first appointment)

My labs were all fine (as per him) but I do need to really up my calcium intake because my body is starting to leech it out of my bones and that's a precursor to osteoporosis, something that I don't want to get.

I've also been feeling tired lately, and I switched my anti-depressant and that has seemed to help too.

I went to my endocrinologist (bi-annual check for thyroid which is fine) and he noticed on my bloodwork paperwork from Dr Aranow that my Vitamin D was low.  He didn't want to make any decisions on further treatment without a more in depth blood test for it.  Well, today, I got a prescription in the mail and a note from him (Dr Gelfand) saying to take this mega dose of prescription Vit D (50,000 IU's) once a week for eight weeks to see if the levels go up.  To continue with my calcium w/ D supplement and my additional Vitamin D (1000 IU's) supplement and my twice daily vitamins.

The lab that Dr Aranow runs is a 125 hydroxy vit D, Dr Gelfand ran a 25 hydroxy Vit D test and got a better result to make a decision to treat me.

He said that a low Vitamim D could cause the achiness and tiredness that I've been feeling.

We shall see!  I hope it makes me feel better.

Exercise and I still don't get along!  I walk when I can, but now am finding some sagging skin in my upper thighs and a bit in my stomach that I've got to address with exercise and toning.  NOT to mention the bat wings I have under my arms.  Those are NEVER gonna go away without surgery, I don't think.  I also noticed that I have lost A LOT of muscle tone and have to get that back.  I used to be "strong as a bull" as hubby would say. Now, I feel weaker in strength than I've ever felt.  Gotta get to lifting some weights.

Someone, please send me some motivation to work out!  As if running around after an 8 & 6 year old isn't enough!  I'm going all day long now that it's summer.

Dear Hubby (Bob H) had his RNY on June 20th also with Dr Aranow and had a very good time of it.  He didn't have any of the post op problems that I had and walked and walked the halls of the hospital until being released.  He's lost a total of 42 lbs since May 10th. MEN! He's no where as obese as I was and was 60 lbs lighter than I was the day of surgery.  So, he had that going for him.

The kids are out of school and we've been busy with going to the beach and day trips on almost a daily basis. We're VERY proud of both of them for bringing home report cards with "achieved with honors" grades in a
lot of their report.  Onto grades 1 and 3.  Phew, where has the time gone?

Shorts and clothes....It was hard to find summer clothes that I liked!  Last year, I was wearing a size 30/32W and had a hard time finding those sizes.  This year, I'm in a size 18W and now I've had a hard time finding that small size in the plus size stores!  That's a GREAT feeling! 
I didn't want to pay a lot for shorts and tops that I'd probably not wear again next year, so, I found a good sale at Fashion Bug for "buy one get one free" and they ended up being $10 bucks a pair.  I absolutely LOVE the Lane Bryant tee shirts that have a V-neck and have 9% spandex in them.  They fall lower than a normal tee would on your waist and they are comfortable.  I bought about 6 different colors of those and am in them daily.  Don't know what I'll do next year when I can't wear them.  I guess I'll have to find some in a smaller size that are just as nice.

I refuse to wear any type of pant/short/bottom that has an elastic waist in it.  That was my detriment to gaining SO much weight in the first place.  These shorts have a zipper and button and belt.

I am proud of myself and do feel very thin in them.  I've found that my legs/calves and lower part of my thighs have really come back to the decent looking legs I've always had and feel great about that.  I've always been known for my "pretty legs!"

My sister saw me last week and really was very flattering to me about how good I looked.  I thank her for that.  Weight is such a struggle for all of us in our family.  She'd love the surgery, but, unfortunately, her insurance won't cover it.  Personally, I don't think she's heavy enough to have it.  She's just sick and tired of dieting and yo/yo'ing up and down all of the time.  All five of us daughters are obese just as my father was most of his life.

Bathing suits?  Well, that was another adventure all in itself!  I went to every store in the mall, to Catherine's, Lane Bryant, Avenue, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc. and REFUSED to pay over 50 bucks for a stinking swimsuit.  How do men get away with paying 10 bucks at Walmart for one and us ladies have to pay over a hundred bucks?  What a rip off!

I had to try on at least 60 suits and guess where I ended up buying one?  WALMART!  17 bucks and I was happy.  I bought a skirt/wrap to cover up my very cottage cheese and pale white legs at TJ Maxx for ten bucks and I'm happy.  I did just get in the mail a suit that was on sale at LL Bean but have not tried it on yet.  It's a two piece with the shorts and long swimsuit top.  Will try it on tomorrow.

Living at the shore...We live about 2 miles from the ocean, so, we're at the beach all the time.  This is our first year as members at a "private beach club" and it's nice.  The beach isn't that crowded, the sand is fine and nice and the water is cleaner and less rocky than the town or state beach that's attached to this same beach.  The kids love the water and I can never pull them out of it.  I sit at the edge of the water in my beach chair and watch them frolic around.  What a wonderful childhood, to grow up at the ocean!  Lucky kids!  We love to sit after sundown and watch the boats on the horizon with their lights on.  Fishing?  Pleasure cruising?  Ferries?  We're not totally sure, but it's "so" relaxing to watch.

Took a field trip with the kids and their school today.  It's a summer program and it was to a wildlife refuge in the next town over from us.  We hiked through several trails (about 2 miles) and it was a lot of fun.  Last year I would have NEVER been able to do it.  We had to climb over and under logs/tree trunks that had fallen down and cross water, etc.  I would have been out of breath the first five minutes.  We were out there for over an hour.  I heard one girl/student say towards the end of the hike, "I'm NEVER going to sign up for this again!"  I said, "Ah,
come on, this physical stuff is good for us, keeps us away from the tv!" 

I did my usual "night before" worrying about the field trip like I always have, but there really was nothing to worry about.  I didn't have a panic attack (a huge worry), I didn't faint from heat exhaustion, and I made the entire hike!  I even had one other mom/chapperone come up to me and say, "I'm so sorry I didn't say hi to you, I didn't even recognize you and the other mom over there told me who you were and that you had lost SO much weight.  You look fantastic!"  SO, that was worth the entire trip, not to mention I got to spend the entire day out with my kids!  And got home to a kitchen spic and span clean, even the floor!  Thanks, honey!

We have a trip to San Francisco all set and planned for August 23rd. We'll be visiting family there and hubby's Mom is coming too. She's a great woman in great shape and can out run both Bob and me in a day's full of events!  Puts us both to shame!

The trip should be a fun one with lots of things planned.  None of us (except mother in law) have flown since before 9/11, so we're a bit nervous.  Hubby is an air traffic controller, and he's even a bit edgy, but nothing worth cancelling a great vacation over.  These will be the first flights the kids will remember.  They've both flown a lot, but when they were babies and we lived in VA and I had to fly them up north to see the family.  They don't remember them.  Again, where has the time gone?  I miss those baby years!  But, on to the next chapter of our lives~

May 19,2006
My gosh, I've been really lazy in updating my profile!  SO much has been going on that I just have forgotten to keep this site updated.  I'm posting to the boards here on a daily basis, but have left my poor little page all alone.

So, I'm almost eight months out and have lost 100 pounds so far!!! 
YIPPEE ME!  This is counting the 18 pounds I lost prior to surgery.  I started at 330+ (I put the plus because I recently figured out that my scale only went up to 330 and have no idea if I exceeded that amount and by how much.)  and now weight 229.  I've lost tons of inches and went from a size 30/32W in pants (most of them stretch ones too) to a 18/20W jeans.  I will never wear elastic waist pants again!  NEVER.

I have no real food issues.  I tolerate most foods quite well and only sometimes dump on sugars and/or fat.  (not fun)

Head hunger is troublesome for me at times, but mostly because I'm bored or inactive and need to refocus the thoughts from food to something else.

The weight loss has slowed down since month 6-7 and I was in a stall at 235 for over a month.  Upping my exercise and eating better, fuller meals got it going again.

I was told that the rapid loss would be over now and that's ok with me.  Slow and steady from now on is how I'll like it, as long as I can get to my 175 (150 pounds lost, for myself) goal.  Dr Aranow's goal for me is 209, or 75% fat loss.

I get exercise, but not like I should.  I don't (yet) have a lot of hanging skin except for the bat wings under my upper arms.  I'm not sure I"ll need a tummy tuck or not.  I've got some dense fat still there and we shall see.  My breasts aren't as saggy as I thought they would be because I've lost weight in them and they are now smaller.  My thighs have a LOT of cellulite on them now though.
 
I want to get to a gym soon to work with some weights because I've lost tone in my thighs and need to tone up my entire body.

I get in my vitamins and fluids and lots of protein daily. 

Graizing is sometimes a problem, mostly around my cycle time.  I have to combat this demon, also.

I see Dr Aranow on June 7th for a follow up.  I haven't been to him since late Jan.  I'm a little behind, but his schedule is too.

My husband, Bob, is right now in the process for this same RNY surgery with Dr Aranow.  He's not as obese as I was, but can stand to lose weight (he's 100 lbs overweight) and not gain it all back and then some
with just dieting.  He needs the pouch to act like a tool just like me to keep his portions small.  It will be great for both of us, because we'll be eating the same and will have one another to support.  I'm psyched for him!

November 19, 2005
I've been doing quite well of late.  Despite having a virus for the last three weeks.  Food is a delight for me, though in very small portions.  I'm not really having any "issues" with any foods.  Chicken does get "stuck" in between by breasts if it's not chewed well enough of if I eat it too quickly.  I have to learn to slow down!  Pasta also gets stuck, but I shouldn't really be eating it anyways.

I went out to eat for the first time and I ordered sirloin tips and was able to eat 1 1/2 tips and a crown of steamed broccoli.  It all went down well and I was very satisified.  I was happy to get out with my family and feel "normal".

I'm down almost 60 pounds and it feels good!  My pants are loose and I'm down from size 30/32 all last summer in tops and pants to a loose 26 in pants and a 22/24 in tops.

I'm a bit intimidated in trying on pants right now.  I'm afraid that they will still be too tight and I'll be disappointed.  I"m going to wait another ten pounds or so to try something new.  Maybe for Christmas I can buy some new pants and a nice top. 

I'm not exercising as I should be.  I admit it.  I'm lazy.  But, I've also been ill with this virus that's left me with a herpes breakout on my cheek and nose and it's really brought me down big time.  I've been so tired and SO weak and lightheaded.  I've been on anti-viral
medication and am laying low until I have a lot of strength back.

My PCP did a blood workup and it all come out fine.  My B-12 and iron are right where it should be and my blood counts etc are also fine. 
Thank God.

October 10, 2005
Well, I made it!  My surgery went without complications and Dr Aranow removed my gall bladder as well. 

Here's a run down of my hosptial stay:

Sept 28, 2005 - day of surgery
I was quite calm all morning long.  I didn't have to be at Middlesex Hospital until 11:30 for a 1:30pm surgery, but getting the kids ready for school, then myself afterwards went quite smoothly.  I really thought I'd be more nervous and jittery.

Dear hubby and I left about ten am for the hour long ride and it was also without event.  We arrived at the hospital and they were waiting for me.  I got checked in right away and escorted back to the ER holding area.  Once my IV was in, hubby was able to join me.

I saw Dr Aranow there in that area, as he had a surgery before me.  Susan, (the woman having surgery before mine) and I had met at the pre-op class at the hospital the week before.  She was ready to go and we "high-fived" each other and said we'd see each other "up on the floor later on!"

Then the waiting began!  Dr Aranow got a bit of a late start, and Susan's surgery went over, so that meant more waiting for me.  Then, he came out and went over my chart and gave me his usual speech of "Are you sure you still want to do this, it's ok if you wish to back out.  These are your risks, etc"  That part is where I got really freaked out!  I was tired of waiting and here I was hearing my risk factors again and I just wanted it over with!

The anesthesiologist came out next to speak with me and I drilled into his head that I was freaked out about not making it through surgery.  That I had a bad experience with a prior surgery where my pulse ox dropped and the surgeon told me never to have general anesthesia again.

Well, this doctor, Dr Marvin was wonderful!  He relieved all of my fears, told me that he was going to totally intibate me with a breathing tube and the machine would breathe for me and not to worry.

So, it was off with Dr Marvin to walk down to the OR.  I had to part with dear hubby there at the doorway and I got all teary eyed and said my "I love you's and take care of the kids, spiel" and off I went.

When I got into the OR, all I can remember is looking at the narrow operating table and saying to myself, "God and I going to have one hell of a backache tonight!"  I dont' know why they put us on such a narrow table.

The anesthiologist asked me what "island" he'd like to send me to today, and I told him, "Hawaii", as I've never been there before!  The OR nurse was equally nice and talked and talked with me.  She also had the surgery done by Dr Aranow and couldn't say enough about it.

Then, I was told to take five deep breaths and all I remember is hearing some kind of doorbell type of ringing and that was it.

Then, I was being told "it was all over and to breathe."  I remember lots of voices telling me to keep taking deep breaths, but couldn't because it hurt.  I remember hearing that they couldn't bring me to my room because there wasn't one ready for me. 

I was concerned that my husband had been waiting so long for me.  Then, finally, it was off and up to my room.  By now, it was already 7:30pm!

I lucked out.  I got the biggest, private room on the floor!  Even though it was a hot room, they got me a fan and I was ok.

I became very nauseaus in the recovery room and it continued through the night in my room.  They kept giving me meds for it, but nothing seemed to help.  They wanted me to get up and walk, but I didn't make it much down the hallway when I wanted to turn around and go back.

And, by the way...my back hurt like heck!

Hospital - Day 2
Early the next morning, the nausea still wasn't any better and Dr Aranow's Physician's Assistant, Elaine Tobin came in to see me and they changed some of my meds around and added some more for nausea and it helped...but totaly knocked me out. Come to find out, I hadn't had a dose of my anti-panic meds since early the day before, and it can cause panic if not taken on time.  So, they also added that to the mix and it drugged me up even more.  I needed it by pill form, not IV.  But, it calmed me down a lot and helped as soon as I got it.

Hubby came in with the children, but it wasn't a good visit.  The kids were raring to go and jump around my big room and visit and play and have fun.  I just wasn't up to it and told hubby to take them after just a little while.  I felt badly, but I just couldn't take it.  I was SO
out of it that I had no patience at all.  I needed to rest and recoup.

And that's what I did.  I got up and walked when I could... I got in a decent amount of walks that day, especially for being so drugged and out of it.

I was able to start sipping on water in one ounce cups.  Starting slowly and sipping one ounce over an hour.  It was SO good to have something cool in my mouth.

I don't remember much of that Thursday at all.  I can't even remember my day nurse's name.  I remember the evening nurse came in and they had decided to take away my PCA machine with the morphine in it.  It was making me way too nauseaus.  Diluadid by mouth was a better option for me.

I felt good enough to get up and walk some that night when the bright lights were turned down.  It was tough doing it.

Hospital - Day 3
Friday morning comes and out comes my NG (nasal) tube that led down my throat to my stomach.  That thing was making me nauseaus too.  It was a joy to get rid of that.

The urine cathetor came out too and my IV as well.  Now I could walk the halls without all of those tubes.

A shower and my own nightgown made it all the better also!

Today was a much better day.  No nausea (Thank God)

Hubby came with the kids and his Mom and it was a great visit.  I was up sitting in the recliner and not hooked up to anything.  I was happy to see them as they were me.

I advanced to the 'Crystal Lite' stage but it was too tart for me, so I stuck with water and some brewed decaf tea.

Hosptial - Day 4
If I can keep down a morning and afternoon protein shake, I can go home! 

It was no trouble keeping it down, and the doctor discharged me.  I took a good dose of pain meds for the hour drive home and it felt great to be back.

Hubby's Mom was here to help out and I'm sure glad she was.  I barely remember that first day home.  I slept in the recliner in our fininshed basement and just rested.

It was a tough day, very tiring, but I was glad to finally be home! 

Now my weight loss journey truly begins!

October 14, 2005
Well, two weeks post op and I'm feeling stronger each day.  Hubby had to get back to work this week after two weeks off to care for the children and me.

I saw Dr Aranow this past Tuesday for my two week check up and he cleared me to "puree stage".  Oh, one ounce of tuna pureed with one teaspoonful of low fat mayo never tasted SO good!  It went down easily and felt good to eat something more solid.

My midsection is still kind of tight and is healing.  I alternate between the recliner and bed for sleep.  The bed is tough on my back and my incision sometimes and I wake up pretty sore.

I'm getting in my fluids and protein and I'm happy about that.

I started to drive again this week and was able to get to the grocery store for a limited shop.  I was exhausted by the check out and was happy to get home!  The kids "will" have snacks and lunches tomorrow!

I'm down 20 pounds already since surgery and feel very good about that.  I have to start up my exercise routine so that I can kick up my metobolism and get the weight off quickly.  I just walked for 22 minutes, one entire mile!  I'm proud of myself.

It's been raining for over seven days here and it's damp and miserable.  Here's hoping to see the sun soon.
 
October 26, 2005
Well, I just saw Dr Aranow for my one month appointment and I'm at 283.2 pounds!  That's 43.4 pounds gone since my first appointment with him last June, 28 lbs since surgery four weeks ago!  I'm happy with that. 

I'm cleared to stage 5 diet which is regular food, no more puree!  Yippee!  I loved it at first, but am growing tired of it now.  Two weeks of it is enough for me.

I'm getting in at least 65 gms of protein a day, at least 70 ounces a water/fluid a day and all of my vitamins, etc.  I'm walking about a mile a day, but sprained my ankle last week and had two days without any
exercise.

My moods have been up and down.  Happy one day, down in the dumps on another.  It is fall and winter is coming, and it's been very windy and rainy here in southern New England, so that may have something to do with it.  Not to mention that I had my guts taken out, dissected and put back together in a new way and my body is screaming to me, "What the heck have you done?"  (haha)  So, I am still adjusting and will continue to for some time, I'm sure.

My skin is dry, something I've never had in my life before.  I'm cold all of the time too.  Someone told me that's from being in "ketosis" or "fat burning mode".  I'm bundled up and that's a rare thing for me too. 
I'm usually the one barefooted all winter and with short sleeves on!

Oh, how life changes so quickly!

Sept 1, 2005
Still waiting to hear about Dr Aranow signing off on my file.  Come to find out, there was a report missing from my gastroscopy, so that was the tie up.   

I've lost the required ten pounds and have been walking about one mile daily.  (having a lot of shin pain while doing so, so I can't do more right yet)  I've been doing a modified "South Beach Diet" and have cut out almost all bad carbs.  A protein drink once or twice a day helps
fill me, and I have to say I'm not missing the carbs all that much. 

Sept 13, 2005
My surgeon's nurse, Lois, phoned today (after I've called a few times in the last couple of weeks checking the status of my file) and she phoned Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO, Federal Employees Plan and they approved me over the phone!  YIPPEE!  I have a date for September 28th, 2005!!!  All she has to do is secure the date with the hospital and I'm all set!

I'm scared and excited all in one.  I have the full support of my husband, two small children and my family.  I've decided not to tell too many people about this.  I just don't need any negative feedback from people and "what they don't know, won't hurt 'em!"

I've met some wonderful people through OH and AMOS.  Here online and I've been able to actually "meet" in person a few people that attend the same support group meetings.  We're all working together to be each
other's cheerleaders and to support each other along the way.  It is TERRIFIC!

Sept 14, 2005
Well, I got a call from Lois, Dr Aranow's nurse and Sept 28th is a go! Middlesex Hospital gives the pre-op bariatric patient an information class that isn't mandatory, but helpful to the patient in understanding what to expect when we go to the hospital, what happens before surgery, and what to expect after we get out.

Lois told me that there was one today, but it was getting late and didn't know if I could make it.  (I live over an hour away from the hospital)  I told her that I was passing right by their office and hospital (as we spoke), as I was in CT today shopping and visiting my Mom in the nursing home!  If it was ok for me to bring my five year old son with me, then I'd arrange for someone to pick my seven year old daughter at her bus stop and I'd go, for they won't be having another class until the day of my surgery.  So, all worked out and I went to the class and it was VERY informative.  The two nurses giving it covered everything from A to Z as far as what to do and what to expect and what is expected of me as a patient.

I won't have to do any fasting before, no bowel cleansing the night before...just nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before.  That's simple!  I have to wash with the anti-microbial soap for three days before.   Again, easy.

I have to say that Dr Aranow and his staff and the staff of the hospital have really put together a really fine bariatric program.  I have been really impressed with how nice and professional all of his office staff have been to me over the phone in the last few weeks, as I've been bugging the heck out of them to keep my file moving!  And so far, I'm impressed with the knowledge of the nurses that were at this info class.  They are the same nurses that will be caring for me, so it makes me feel all that more comfortable knowing this and feel more at ease with the entire situation.

Today was a good day.  I'm feeling less nervous, more confident about my decision to have surgery, and really excited about the upcoming day!

I went to a special "walking store" and purchased some nice, comfortable, fitted for me walking shoes.  I almost had to sell my left arm to afford them, but I was able to walk two miles easily this evening in them without the horrid shin pain that I've been experiencing of late.

We ARE required to walk ONE mile, equal to 16 times around the nurses station, EVERY DAY we are in-patient.  INCLUDING the DAY OF SURGERY!  We don't have to do it all at once, just get up and do a lap, rest and do another later on.  Keep the circulation going and prevent those blood clots from happening.  I'm all for that!

September 22, 2005
My baby started Kindergarten this week!  Now the house is quiet and still all day long!  I took advantage of my time alone and walked 3 miles the first morning he was gone.

I'm getting anxious for next week to be here.  I'm tired of waiting.  I'm not eating much this week at all.  I thought I would want to binge on things that I won't really be able to eat again, but I have no interest.  I just wish Wednesday were here!

Wed. September 28, 2005
Well, the day is here!  I'm ready to leave for the hospital in a bit.  I'm a bit nervous, but generally calm overall.  We'll see how I do when I get to the hospital!  I have to be there for 11:25 am and my surgery is scheduled for 1:25 pm.  I hope that there's no delays.

My husband will be taking me and staying there until I'm up in my room later on.  My wonderful sister is coming here to RI to meet the kids at the bus and will take care of them.  Thank God for sisters!

The phone would NOT stop ringing yesterday and last night.  I didn't know I had SO many people caring about me. I got a ton of well wishes and "you're gonna be fines".  It helped me a lot.

I got a ton of well wishes here on my surgery page too.  And for that I thank all of you that did.  it too helped a lot.

I'll post when I'm home.  I can't believe that it is finally here!

I have finished with my psych test, dietitian consult, gall bladder
ultrasound, gastroscopy and primary care physician clearance.  Now it's a waiting game to get my file ready and to set a date for surgery!